INHF 25th Anniversary Event #18
Mines of Spain Fall Seminar

---

Join this one-day field school, but don't expect to sit in a stuffy classroom! This seminar is for people who want to take an active, hands-on approach to learning about the natural world around them.

Date: This event was held Saturday, September 11, 2004 Site: Mines of Spain State Recreation Area in Dubuque Winner of INHF door prize: Pat Knopick Partner: Friends of Mines of Spain at (563) 556-0620

Event details
You'll find something for every interest during the four 90-minute sessions held throughout the day (with a choice of programs in each session). Note that several programs are designed specifically for kids. The cost is $5.00 for adults and $2.00 for children under 12. Most sessions are held outdoors, so please dress for the weather and the activity.

You can register on the morning of the event, but some seminars are limited in how many people can participate, so please pre-register if you wish to secure your spot in a given session. The general schedule is listed below, but for details about the individual sessions and presenters, click here.

If you have other questions, contact the Friends of Mines of Spain by e-mail or call 563-556-0620.

2004 Mines of Spain Seminar schedule:

7:30 =Registration/Check-in at the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center

8:15 =Welcome, Opening Remarks

8:30 = Session 1
    *Making Wooden Nature Box (Kids) Doug, Gregory, Rachel & Michael Olk
    *Bird Hike – Charlie Winterwood
    *Farming and Mining History- Gerda Preston Hartman

10:00 = Session 2
    *Wildlife Reintroduction -Pat Schlarbaum
   *Rappelling into Caves- Rudy Pruszko
    *Snakes (Kids)– Wayne Buchholtz
    *Upland/Lowland Forest and Prairie Ecology – Bill Pusateri

11:30= Lunch - On Your Own (Bring a picnic lunch or purchase lunch off-site. (several fast-food restaurants are within a very short drive)

12:30 = Session 3
    *Atlatls, Darts, and Spears (Kids)- Mark Anderson
    *Frame it – Larry Stone
    *Caves and Caving Safety- Rudy Pruszko
    *Canoeing - Jack Rolling

2:00 = Session 4
    *Pond Sampling – (Kids) Ben Horstmann
    *Wisdom of a Flower – Larry Stone
    *Understanding Stone Tools – Mark Anderson

The story behind this place
This wooded bluff on Dubuque's south side is the site of the first non-Indian settlement in Iowa, and it has been a noted natural feature considered worthy of protection for generations. When the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (INHF) was founded in 1979, it undertook the protection of this site as its first major project. The landowners did not want to deal with government agencies, but were willing to sell the land to create a state park. INHF managed to negotiate the purchase and put together $3 million in various public funds and private donations to protect this bluff--all within a year. This achievement established the reputation of INHF for accomplishing complex projects, bringing private leadership to land protection, and doing what government agencies cannot do alone. This protection has ensured that 3 ½ miles of Mississippi River bluffland frontage will remain natural and its wildlife habitat intact.

The 1387-acre Mines of Spain site is a treasure for nature and history buffs. In 1993, the area was designated as a National Historic Landmark and includes Julien Dubuque's Monument at a point just above where Catfish Creek meets the Mississippi River. Meanwhile, the E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center houses displays and exhibits that provide information about the history and features of the park.

There are 10 different hiking trails within Mines of Spain. Various trails lead to rock outcroppings, Indian Mounds, 200+ oak trees, lead mine pits and the remnants of an 1859 farm area--all while winding through wetlands, creeks, forest, prairies, cropland, and meadows.

Partner Information
Iowa Department of Natural Resources leads Iowans in caring for their natural resources. It works to conserve and enhance Iowa's natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for all generations. It is responsible for maintaining state parks and forests, protecting the environment, and managing energy, fish, wildlife, and land and water resources in Iowa.

The Friends of the Mines of Spain is organized to inform and educate the public in nature, ecology, conservation, greenbelt concept, natural history, archeology and current events pertaining to those topics. The club makes a conscious effort to support the decisions at the Mines of Spain, inform the public about the benefits of the Mines of Spain, assist the park by volunteering, locate funding and materials for projects and encourage others to enjoy the Mines of Spain and assist in educational programs.


The Iowa Preserves Board oversees the preserve and ensures that the natural and cultural resources are maintained.

Site Map
http://www.minesofspain.org/maps.phtml

Driving Directions
http://www.minesofspain.org/maps.phtml

Visitor Info
Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce
(563) 557-9200
office@dubuquechamber.com


Return to the list of 25 Events